As the second half of the MLB season gets underway, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs, two teams riding a wave of recent success, are set to clash in a three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both teams closed out the first half strong, and this series could have significant implications for their respective playoff pushes.
Diamondbacks' Strong Start
The Arizona Diamondbacks have managed to emerge as a solid contender in the National League West with a 49-48 record, sitting second in the division. They secured eight wins in their last 12 games before the All-Star break, showing their resilience and ability to compete at a high level. One of the standout performers for the Diamondbacks has been second baseman Ketel Marte, who is having a stellar season. Marte boasts a .292 batting average with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored.
Marte's pre-All-Star break performance was marked by a remarkable 3-for-5 effort, including a homer and four RBI in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. His track record against the Cubs is also impressive, with a .278 average, five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI in 30 career games. Notably, Marte recorded five multi-hit games out of the last nine going into the All-Star Game.
Contributions from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been pivotal for the Diamondbacks, adding consistency to their lineup. Gurriel had hits in nine of his last 10 games, including a standout performance on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Over his career, Gurriel has shown he can handle Cubs pitching, with two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in 12 games.
Ryne Nelson on the Mound
Starting the opener for Arizona will be Ryne Nelson, who holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. Nelson will be looking to provide a strong outing to give the Diamondbacks an early edge in the series.
Cubs Eyeing a Wild Card
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs sit fifth in the NL Central with a 47-51 record, 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. However, their recent form is promising, winning eight of their last 11 games. Earlier in the season, the Cubs managed to take two out of three games against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
Justin Steele's Steady Presence
The Cubs will counter with Justin Steele, who has been one of their most reliable pitchers. Steele holds a 2-3 record with a 2.71 ERA and has won his last two starts. In his most recent outing on July 18 against the Baltimore Orioles, Steele delivered a masterful performance, pitching seven innings, allowing just three hits, and striking out four in an 8-0 victory. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has logged 86.1 innings, given up 64 hits, 26 earned runs, and struck out 81 batters while maintaining excellent control with only 18 walks.
Michael Busch's Impact
First baseman Michael Busch has been another key contributor for the Cubs. Busch had a notable 3-for-5 performance with a double in a closely contested 5-4 loss during Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday. Additionally, Busch's remarkable three-game series against Baltimore saw him go 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBI. This season, he is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Context
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold the upper hand in the series against the Cubs, leading 98-85 all-time. However, playing at Wrigley Field presents its own challenges, with the Cubs having a 46-43 advantage in games played at home against Arizona.
The first pitch on Friday is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. The Diamondbacks are slightly favored to win, with the odds set at –119 on the money line, and the over/under for the game is set at 7.5 runs. Both teams will look to carry their positive momentum into the second half, making for an exciting and competitive series opener.